El Salvador is experiencing an unprecedented tourism boom in 2025, driving growth across hotels, restaurants, and tour operators while transforming the country’s international image.
According to the Salvadoran Chamber of Tourism (CASATUR), the surge in visitors—ranging from Central American travelers to Salvadorans living abroad—has significantly increased hotel occupancy and created higher demand for services across the sector.
“Our hotels have higher occupancy. Our restaurants have higher occupancy. Tour operators are busier; we need more guides, more transportation units, and more services overall,” said Carlos Umaña, president of CASATUR, in a live interview with Diario El Salvador. “The growth is definitely noticeable and completely satisfactory for the industry as well.”
A key factor behind this rise is the country’s improved security, which has made El Salvador a more attractive destination for vacationing, investing, and hosting major international events. Among these, the Surf City El Salvador ISA World Surfing Games 2025 has positioned the nation as a premier global surfing hub.
“We missed out on many events being held in the country due to security issues, and now it’s just the opposite,” Umaña emphasized. “Thanks to security, we’re seeing this growing interest in our country, and this is what we’re seeing for tourists.”
Looking ahead, industry leaders highlight the challenge of expanding tourism benefits beyond coastal attractions. Initiatives focused on archaeology, gastronomy, and the coffee route aim to showcase El Salvador’s diverse cultural and natural offerings, ensuring that the current boom brings opportunities to every corner of the country.